I was at the 2006 PAC convention in Detroit, and helped in a small way to help bring it off. The observation of the 50th anniversary of the demise of Packard as a stand-alone Detroit automaker was a big focus of the event, there was a special circle of cars at the Wednesday event at the proving grounds where one of every 1956 model was displayed. The attendance was very good and the number of cars registered was terrific, and there were a large number of 1956 models present. Yes, we did have an emphasis on the proving grounds project, where it has been a cut-bait-or-fish year, several kind donations were made by PAC Packard owners as a result of the convention that have helped that project immensely at this crucial time. The meet did not focus solely on the PPG.
I led a two bus tour of 121 people to several important historical sites of Detroit automotive history, including the Packard plant and the site of the Conner V-8 assembly plant (we actually parked the busses on the site of the plant), so in that way we celebrated the 1956 models, 1955 too!
I did not hear as much grumbling like the comments Mr. Persall made in the Cormorant, and in general have not heard much of that from (most) PAC members. There is another club, one that sells red baseball caps, consisting of self-made men who have Roman numerals following their name and who run businesses started by previous generations of their family (not all, but many) having a vocal contingent who HATE anything postwar, really starting with the introduction of the 120 and 110 models, and who truly wish Packard died with ACD, Pierce Arrow, Peerless, Marmon and the other premium brands that did not survive the 30's. When that talk starts it's time to turn the other cheek.
I just wrote and submitted an article that will appear in the next issue of the Cormorant about the history of the Conner Ave. assembly plant, Briggs manufacturing and Chrysler's acquisition of Briggs, with many never-before seen photos of the Conner plant--Mr.Persall will have to suffer through that!

Dave -

I did not attend, but get the impression that PAC's 206 National was more of a celebration of the Proving Grounds and the end of Packard's Detroit operations than the V8 cars themselves.

Rightfully so, as any Packard enthusiast can appreciate the Proving Grounds, but you also need to see it in action - and can thanks to factory films "The Way Ahead" (1940) and "The Watchdogs" (1954) and "The Safe Road Ahead" (1956) that have been circulating on VHS and DVD.

When I first became interested in Packards (thanks to finding my dad's old Executive hardtop rusting away in a field back in 1976), people told me to look to a fella who was regarded as the "Packard Expert" around these parts. First thing the guy told me was that they didn't make any real Packards after WWII; I didn't waste much more time with him. If he was trying to get me interested in prewar cars, he failed miserably. I never had much patience for anyone else of that or similar mind set.

I have no doubt that some sentiments have shifted as more people became interested in cars of the '50s (and there was $$$ to be made). Still, there are some hard-liners who just have it in for the postwar cars - especially anything made under the Nance regime.

There are great things to be found in every model that Packard made, and they put out some very interesting cars in those last years in Detroit. Although I didn't own a running V8 until 1987 (a '56 Patrician), I found it highly competent out on the interstate as well as around town. Of course, the V8 cars were not without their fair share of teething pains - like any vehicle out there with a lot of new technology.

Yet, I have to come clean and admit that some people might call me a snob 'cuz I don't consider the '57-'58 cars to be Packard - except in name/title only. Those cars were well-equipped Studebakers trimmed up to resemble a Packard - though less so for 1958. Personally, I would have rather seen the '57 clays (featured elsewhere on this site) make it into production.

Brian, I recall that letter from Jim Pearsall also and I thought it rather amusing. I can't imagine that it wasn't tongue in cheek although I never met the man. I have only been to one national meet since I joined PAC in 1990 but I think that the 55-56's are really being appreciated more by PAC. Wasn't the last National meet in Detroit as tribute to the 1956 models? They are every bit a Packard and that even though they were the last gasp of that great company they were still the best engineered and best styled cars from Detroit in those final years! Even though I was only 12 years old, growing up just across the river from Detroit, I remember from a personal standpoint how sad I was when Packard left Detroit and how much I admired the 55-56 Packards.

Thanks for the heads-up, Dave. I have purposely let my membership in that club lapse, but I'll try to remember to pick up a copy of that one, if I make it to Fall Hershey.

However, after reading a Letter to the Editor in the last issue that I received (#124) regarding article on product development at Packard during the 1950s (from Issue #122), where James Pearsall's opening paragraph stated:

Quote:

...I can only imagine how an article on 1955-56 cars is gonna be received by the prewar snobs in that club.

A regional get-together of PV8C members sounds like a good idea. It's about a 3-1/2 hour drive to Perrysburg for me. Weather permitting and barring any health crises with my folks, I should be there Saturday.

Of course, I'm sure some of us will get together again for a day at Warren in July.

Those events shouldn't detract from any plans for a PV8C National meet.

Stephen: I think the part you are missing is a vavle assemby whcih is shown in the picture under the group number 31.104.

Packard simply listed it as a valve assembly. Packard part number 420158.

John F. Shireman

Here is the piece that John sent me. It shows the hydraulic layout common to the 51-54 cars.

Attach file:

---

  (34.62 KB)

Stephen: I have the anser for your question, but I am having trouble posting part of the information that I have.

I emailed Big Kevin the information and he should be posting in the near furture. The missing part is part of the hydrolic operating assembly for the top.



John F. Shireman

Thanks to both Button and Regular.

The thought had crossed my mind, what with the ATF dripping out and all, but it's an odd location for a convertible top pump, so I dismissed it.

Thanks again for the prompt response, it's good to see that there's activity at the site.

Stephen Murphy

For those who are not members of the Packard Club the Winter 2006 issue is devoted to the 1955-56 models. It has some very interesting articles on these two years.